Method and apparatus for exchanging communication signals

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by each of a plurality of receivers, one of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves guided by a different one of a plurality of twin-lead transmission lines, each twin-lead transmission line sharing a wire, and each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves including a different one of a plurality of communication signals, and obtaining, by each of the plurality of receivers, one of the plurality of communication signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device, comprising:
 an antenna that facilitates receiving an electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagates along a plurality of twin-lead transmission lines suspended in air without requiring an electrical return path, wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveys a different one of a plurality of communication signals; and 
 a receiver that facilitates obtaining a communication signal of the plurality of communication signals from the electromagnetic wave that is received by the antenna. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveys the communication signal. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves is guided by a different one of the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines comprises a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein each respective twin-lead transmission line of the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines corresponds to a respective twisted pair of insulated conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna extracts energy from a twin-lead transmission line of the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises a dipole antenna having elements disposed between conductors of each of the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises a dipole antenna, and wherein an operating frequency of communication signal is associated with dimensions of the dipole antenna. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves operates in a non-optical frequency range. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines comprises insulated conductors. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines comprises uninsulated conductors. 
     
     
       12. A method, comprising:
 receiving, by an antenna of a communication device, a respective electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, the respective electromagnetic wave guided by a respective cable pair of a bundle of cables suspended in air, wherein the respective electromagnetic wave propagates without requiring an electrical return path, wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveys a different one of a plurality of communication signals; and 
 obtaining, by the antenna from the respective electromagnetic wave, a respective communication signal of the plurality of communication signals conveyed by the plurality of electromagnetic waves. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves operates in a non-optical frequency range. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the bundle of cables comprises an insulated conductor, an uninsulated conductor, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the bundle of cables comprises a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors of the bundle of cables comprise twisted pairs of uninsulated conductors or twisted pairs of insulated conductors. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors of the bundle of cables comprise twisted pairs of insulated conductors, and wherein each respective twisted pair of insulated conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors has a respective electrical return path that enables transmission of electrical signals. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves employs phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulation, frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       19. A device, comprising:
 a spacer that facilitates separation of a plurality of transmission lines extending through an outside surface of the spacer; and 
 an antenna coupled to the spacer, wherein the antenna facilitates receiving a plurality of electromagnetic waves guided by the plurality of transmission lines, wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagates along one or more of the transmission lines without requiring an electrical return path. 
 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 19 , wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveys a different one of a plurality of communication signals.